Christopher Bailey, Burberry’s chief creative officer and president, is stepping down from his dual role by 31 March 2018, the company announced today.

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“It has been the great privilege of my working life to be at Burberry, working alongside and learning from such an extraordinary group of people over the last 17 years,” said Bailey in Burberry’s press release. He joined the fashion house in 2001 and worked as design editor under the leadership of then-chief executive Rose Marie Bravo.

Along with former executive Angela Ahrendts, Christopher Bailey transformed the small British trenchcoat maker into an international fashion brand. During the last 17 years, under his leadership, Burberry has built an impressive digital presence and was among the first luxury brands to use Snapchat when its Spring/Summer 2016 collection was live streamed in premiere on the platform.

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Now, when Bailey is leaving to “pursue new creative projects”, he assured that he will continue to provide support to Marco Gobbetti, who was appointed as Burberry’s chief executive officer last July.

In the company’s press release, Gobbetti said: “Burberry has undergone an incredible transformation since 2001 and Christopher has been instrumental to the company’s success in that period. While I am sad not to have the opportunity to partner with him for longer, the legacy he leaves and the exceptional talent we have at Burberry give me enormous confidence in our future.“

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A successor for Bailey’s position has not yet been appointed.

Words: Madalina Corjuc | Subbing: Victoire Bret